County Championship 2017

Not long to go now, just under a month!

Who are your picks for the title?
Who is going down?
Surprise team?
Most runs?
Most wickets?

Discuss here!

Hi Jimbo - I'll give Warks the kiss of death and pick them for the title. Runs from Trott and Bell with my man Barker and Patel once more amongst the wickets. Feel that Yorks will miss not only their England players but also Gillespie's influence. Too big an ask imo for Middlesex to repeat last season's success - which probably means they'll romp home.

Notts and Sussex look strong contenders for promotion.

More a bit nearer day one. What do you reckon?

Div One : Surrey - don't want to curse the overwhelming forum favourites but I think the team looks so strong with little disruption from international call-ups. Stoneman and Borthwick are huge additions.

Div Two : Kent

Most Runs : Gary Ballance
Most Wickets : Jack Brooks

Breakout player D1 : Not quite breakout, but I think Nick Browne will have a big year in the top division

Breakout player D2 : Aneurin Donald (home-bias perhaps?).

guildfordbat wrote:Hi Jimbo - I'll give Warks the kiss of death and pick them for the title. Runs from Trott and Bell with my man Barker and Patel once more amongst the wickets. Feel that Yorks will miss not only their England players but also Gillespie's influence. Too big an ask imo for Middlesex to repeat last season's success - which probably means they'll romp home.

Notts and Sussex look strong contenders for promotion.

More a bit nearer day one. What do you reckon?

Hi Guildford, i can see why you like the look of Warks, just an all round solid team with plenty of experience.

It will be interesting to see how the likes of Borthwick and Stoneman do at your team, Surrey! Could be dark horses for the title....

After getting the reprieve of survival (still feels a bit harsh, even from my perspective!) - we have one some good business, bringing in Bailey and Rousow (sp?) and Abbott on kolpak deals. I was a big fan of Abbott when he was here last time. We really missed a bowler of his class last season. Topley also getting back to fitness, we should be ok this season.

Predictions:

Who are your picks for the title? Warwickshire
Who is going down? Somerset + Lancashire
Surprise team? Hampshire
Most runs? Ian Bell
Most wickets? Olly Stone

One to watch: Tom Alsop

Hi Jimbo - a useful undefeated little knock from your boy Alsop to see the South home today against the UAE. Already thought you might be on the money with your ''one to watch''. Haven't seen him much but seems to have the makings of a neat player.

Hi Electric - haven't seen Donald at all but know the name. If he's the one I'm thinking of, he got a massive score on debut or at least very early in his career for you last season, right? Mind you, need to be careful with what I say about Glamorgan and their players. I watched them beat Surrey in the CC match at Guildford in 2015, was highly impressed and thought they would be seriously challenging for promotion - don't think they won again that season! I also liked the look of your off spinner Salter who has never really got going as I expected.

Donald smashed a rapid 200 last season (quickest in CC history? or second quickest?). Been about for a couple of years and his stats aren't much to write home about yet, and it was 1 of only 2 100s to date - but need to be taken in the context of a dire Glamorgan batting like-up. I think Kiran Carlson hit a hundred on debut or very early on in his career - another good prospect.

I wouldn't expect any threat from across the Severn this year though. Last season was full of batting collapses momentarily held up by Graeme Wagg over-performing and dragging some kind of score out of the rubble, and the bowling attack don't incite any fear (despite bowling Leicestershire all out in the first session of a match at one point last season).

I should imagine we'll be challenging Durham for bottom spot, points deduction n'all. Need a much better season from Jacques Rudolph who is supposed to add some much needed experience and runs at the top of the order, but who had a shambles last season averaging only 24!

Since tipping Leaning as the player to watch last season I've taken a vow of silence on these issues!

Who are your picks for the title? - Warwickshire, but I do think Surrey have a great shot also
Who is going down? - Middlesex........from heroes to zeroes
Surprise team? - Essex - think they'll be challenging at the top
Most runs? - Rilee Roussow
Most wickets? - Saqib Mahmood

For Div 2

Going up - Sussex
Surprise team - Derbyshire
Most runs - Sam Northeast
Most wickets - Magoffin

Breakout player of the year? Has to Saqib Mahmood seeing as I picked him for most wickets!

jimbohammers wrote:

guildfordbat wrote:Hi Jimbo - I'll give Warks the kiss of death and pick them for the title. Runs from Trott and Bell with my man Barker and Patel once more amongst the wickets. Feel that Yorks will miss not only their England players but also Gillespie's influence. Too big an ask imo for Middlesex to repeat last season's success - which probably means they'll romp home.

Notts and Sussex look strong contenders for promotion.

More a bit nearer day one. What do you reckon?

Hi Guildford, i can see why you like the look of Warks, just an all round solid team with plenty of experience.

It will be interesting to see how the likes of Borthwick and Stoneman do at your team, Surrey! Could be dark horses for the title....

After getting the reprieve of survival (still feels a bit harsh, even from my perspective!) - we have one some good business, bringing in Bailey and Rousow (sp?) and Abbott on kolpak deals. I was a big fan of Abbott when he was here last time. We really missed a bowler of his class last season. Topley also getting back to fitness, we should be ok this season.

Predictions:

Who are your picks for the title?  Warwickshire
Who is going down? Somerset + Lancashire
Surprise team? Hampshire  
Most runs? Ian Bell
Most wickets? Olly Stone

One to watch: Tom Alsop

Some bad news for Jimbo's predicted top wicket taker - ESPN Cricinfo is reporting he is likely to miss the entire 2017 season with a setback in his recovery from his cruciate ligament injury. A real shame

Didn't know that Olly, thanks for posting. A real shame. Whenever I've seen him I've been impressed.

Carberry fit and healthy to start the season, fantastic news.

jimbohammers wrote:Carberry fit and healthy to start the season, fantastic news.

Thanks, Jimbo. That's very good. I was going to ask you about him.

guildfordbat wrote:

jimbohammers wrote:Carberry fit and healthy to start the season, fantastic news.

Thanks, Jimbo. That's very good. I was going to ask you about him.

\

Not only fit and healthy but he's just got a 100 today. Took ages getting off the mark, watched early partners depart for very little but then scorched to a century. Terrific news.

Guildford

Sirfred Really good to see Carbs get a hundred. I had a look at the scores and he was on 0 from 28 balls. Ended up 100 from 121 balls.

Happy County Championship day everybody

jimbohammers wrote:Happy County Championship day everybody

...and to match the occasion the weather this early April is actually suitable for playing cricket!

Corp, it will never last!

Today's fixtures:

Div One:

Essex vs Lancashire
Surrey vs Warwickshire
Yorkshire vs Hampshire

Div 2:
Kent vs Gloucestershire
Leicestershire vs Notts
Northants vs Glamorgan

That Notts team in Div 2 is ridiculous!

Lumb, Hales, Weasels, Patel, Read, Broad

Blimey

Award for first collapse of the cc season goes to Glam - now on 26 - 6.  Buck is on a hattrick.

You'd never guess Glamorgan don't have a batting coach....

Hampshire have Yorkshire 152-7, who have since moved on to 231-7. Frustrating for us. Balance with a captains 100

Hants' frustration compounded by loss of 5 quick wickets (58 - 5) in reply to Yorks 273!  All five wickets taken by Ben Coad.

After a free scoring morning at the Oval Surrey were pegged back by Warks to finish on 327 - 3.  Stoneman scoring a big century on his debut. Surrey somewhat unlikely to take full batting points but should be looking for a 450+ score tomorrow.

Lancs last four wickets almost doubled their side's six-down score of 160. Then captured two cheap Essex wickets.

Jimbo - do you have any thoughts on Tom Alsop being left out of the XI? Caused a bit of debate on Twitter after his good Lions winter...

A nailbiter for Jimbo as Hants need another 114 to beat Yorks with 6 wickets remaining.

Hants making Jimbo sweat over victory! 41 needed by his boys but only 4 wickets left. Iceman Berg now at the crease, he should have a cool head. Sorry!

Hants win by 4 wickets and Jimbo heads to the bar for an all nighter! Hopefully, the Surrey mafia can join him before lunchtime.

That was some comeback by Hants.    For several years Yorks have been very proficient at working their way out of difficult situations in the cc.  But here the tables have been turned.

Hope Jimbo hasn't been overcome with all the Hants' celebrations.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Award for first collapse of the cc season goes to Glam - now on 26 - 6.  Buck is on a hattrick.

True to my prediction - though even worse than expected!

I can only assume that they wanted to spend a beautiful Sunday on Barry beach

Long season ahead

Electric - yeah, it seems you weren't overplaying Glamorgan's problems! Pretty terrible start for your boys.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Jimbo - do you have any thoughts on Tom Alsop being left out of the XI? Caused a bit of debate on Twitter after his good Lions winter...

Hi Olly, yes i was disappointed he was left out, im not sure if he has a slight injury as he wasn't in the named in the squad at all. Im a big fan of his, so i hope to see him in the line up next week.

guildfordbat wrote:Hants win by 4 wickets and Jimbo heads to the bar for an all nighter! Hopefully, the Surrey mafia can join him before lunchtime.

Really good win, despite 'sky sports' saying we 'edged a win' - we won by 4 wickets!

Good to see you guys get the job done today - Up the South'!

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Hope Jimbo hasn't been overcome with all the Hants' celebrations.

With Hants and West ham winning in the same weekend, more in shock

jimbohammers wrote:

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Hope Jimbo hasn't been overcome with all the Hants' celebrations.

With Hants and West ham winning in the same weekend, more in shock

Yup - that's a remarkable combo!  

Meanwhile a tough battle continues at Chelmsford with Essex hoping to bat out the entire last day against Lancs.  3rd wicket partnership so far been going 43 overs.

we can pull off the great escape! Wicket is flat at Chelmsford, and we should get away with the draw, however still a long way to...but we do have good batting line up RTD at 7!

Fine morning's work by Lawrence and Westley at the People's Republic of Chelmsford to see out the first session unscathed. Fear has to be that 1 wicket today will lead to 2 to 3 etc. However, if Essex can get to tea with at least 6 wickets left they should be able to get the draw.

Lawrence gets to 100 but Essex are 5 down. Wisden sweating ....

Lawrence is 19 and has five first class centuries at an average of 46.

It's a shame his x rated wristy flicks aren't allowed on TV pre watershed tbh

Lawrence and Tendo still there. Lancs have a minimum of 20 overs to get the last 5 wickets. Wisden looking to join the Surrey mafia and Jimbo in the bar tonight!

Essex hold out for the draw. Great effort from Lawrence although the Lankies will be disappointed.

This Lawrence is still a teenager. Terrific that he was able to bat out a full day to save the match. Amazed that Yorks did not beat Hampshire after being well on top.

I cant help feeling the CCC is getting even more imbalanced and diluted than previous years. Certainly Div 2 is becoming a joke.
And then theres the players being rested ...Anderson and Broad have already been withdrawn form the next round of matches. Given both only play tests now youd think its the one format that England would be pushing for them to be played in, and enforcing rests for the limited overs competitions (although that would upset their counties and sponsors more)

On the plus side at least theres been some games completed (albeit too many in under 3 days)

But if the CC is going to be thge production line for a generation of test ready players then it needs to be reshaped and focused on getting the best players playing each other in competitive games, along with some development spots. Not a place for 40 somethings to keep topping up their pension funds, they can go to IPL for that.

Part of the solution should be a serious consideration about whether to ring fence the first division and or cut some counties. As much as Ive always loved the traditions side of things, and being a Leicestershire boy this is turkeys voting for christmas, I just dont see the curreent model as being beneficial to Englands future or sustainable for all but a few test ground counties.

Lots of games starting today...

Warwickshire vs Yorkshire
Surrey vs Lancashire
Somerset vs Essex
Hampshire vs Middlesex

Div 2:
Sussex vs Kent
Gloucestershire vs Leicestershire
Glamorgan vs Worcestershire
Durham vs Notts
Derbyshire vs Northants

Good test for your boys against Middlesex, Jimbo. What's your team news? Alsop back? Still too early for Crane?

Hi Guildford, team unchanged... So still no Alsop, which is surprising as it turns out he's not injured and has been playing for the 2nd XI

Still no Crane either

Glamorgan are currently 321 for 24 in 106 overs batting this season

Woeful

Beat me to it Olly! Glam really not looking good at all. Now 45 - 4.

Cooke run out 46 - 5!

Glamorgan get up to 207 in the end!

Good comeback by us, Middlesex strolling at 220-2.
Now 269-6. Lost Fidel Edwards to injury just 5 over's into his spell.

Why are the England players being wrapped up in so much cotton wool? It's ages before the First Test so you would think they would get some county games under their belts. You can be undercooked (no pun intended) as well as overcooked.
Interesting to see which of the away skippers did away with the toss yesterday and which chose to take their chances on batting first.

Totally agree sirfred. How are the England players being 'rested'?! Months before the next game, surely its better to get them bowling in a match situation. Disrespectful to the counties too.